| Organization and Significant Accounting Policies | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization — Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (“Bright Horizons” or the “Company”) provides center-based child care and early education, back-up care (for children and adult/elders), tuition reimbursement program management and related educational consulting services, college admissions advisory services, and other support services for employers and families in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Canada, and India. The Company provides services designed to help employers and families better address the challenges of work and family life primarily under multi-year contracts with employers who offer child care and other dependent care solutions, as well as educational advisory services, as part of their employee benefits packages to improve employee engagement. The Company provides its center-based child care services under two principal business models: a cost-plus model, where the Company is paid a fee by an employer client for managing a child care center on a cost-plus basis, and a profit and loss (“P&L”) model, where the Company assumes the financial risk of operating a child care center. The P&L model is further classified into two subcategories: a sponsor model, where Bright Horizons provides child care and early education services on either an exclusive or priority enrollment basis for the employees of a specific employer sponsor; and a lease/consortium model, where the Company provides child care and early education services to the employees of multiple employers located within a specific real estate development (for example, an office building or office park), as well as to families in the surrounding community. In both the cost-plus and sponsor P&L models, the development of a new child care center, as well as ongoing maintenance and repair, is typically funded by an employer sponsor with whom the Company enters into a multi-year contractual relationship. In addition, employer sponsors typically provide subsidies for the ongoing provision of child care services for their employees. Under each model type, the Company retains responsibility for all aspects of operating the child care and early education center, including the hiring and paying of employees, contracting with vendors, purchasing supplies, and collecting tuition and related accounts receivable. The Company provides back-up care services through its own centers and in-home providers, and through its back-up care network, which offers access to a contracted network of in-home care agencies and center-based providers in locations where the Company does not otherwise have centers with available capacity. Stock Offerings — On January 30, 2013 , the Company completed an initial public offering (the “IPO”) and issued a total of 11.6 million shares of common stock. The Company also authorized 25 million shares of undesignated preferred stock for issuance. Since the IPO, certain of the Company’s stockholders have sold a total of 52.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock in secondary offerings (“secondary offerings”), including 4.6 million , 8.2 million , and 4.1 million shares in the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. The Company has not received proceeds from the sale of shares in any of the secondary offerings. In the secondary offering completed March 2018, investment funds affiliated with Bain Capital Partners LLC sold their remaining holdings of the Company’s common stock. The Company purchased 0.8 million , 1.7 million , and 1.0 million of the shares sold in the secondary offerings in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively, at the same price per share paid by the underwriter to the selling stockholders. The board of directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program of up to $300 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock, effective June 12, 2018 . The share repurchase program replaces the prior $300 million authorization, of which $34.9 million remained available at the time the plan was replaced and cancelled. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, under Rule 10b5-1 plans, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. At December 31, 2018 , $259.0 million remained available under the repurchase program. Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates — The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP” or “U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant accounting estimates in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements relate to the valuation of goodwill and other intangibles, and income taxes. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates. Foreign Operations — The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The cumulative translation effect for subsidiaries using a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar is included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company’s intercompany accounts are denominated in the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables that the Company considers to be of a long-term investment nature are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, while gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables from those foreign subsidiaries for which the Company anticipates settlement in the foreseeable future are recorded in the consolidated statement of income. The net gains and losses recorded in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016 were not significant. In 2017 , the Company incurred foreign currency translation losses of $1.7 million associated with the disposition of the remaining assets in Ireland, which was included in other expenses in the consolidated statement of income. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The Company uses observable inputs where relevant and whenever possible. Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3 — Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and borrowings on the revolving credit facility approximates their fair value because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is based on current bid prices, which approximates carrying value. As such, the Company’s long-term debt was classified as Level 1, as defined under U.S. GAAP. As of December 31, 2018 , the carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt were $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 , the carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term was $1.1 billion . In 2017, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements, which are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the fair value of the interest rate swaps were $7.9 million and $3.8 million , respectively, which were estimated using market-standard valuation models. Such models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs. Additionally, the fair value of the interest rate swaps included consideration of credit risk. The Company used a potential future exposure model to estimate this credit valuation adjustment (“CVA.”) The inputs to the CVA were largely based on observable market data, with the exception of certain assumptions regarding credit worthiness. As the magnitude of the CVA was not a significant component of the fair value of the interest rate swaps, it was not considered a significant input. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is classified as Level 2, as defined under U.S. GAAP. Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company mitigates its exposure by maintaining its cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions of high credit standing. The Company’s accounts receivable, which are derived primarily from the services it provides, are dispersed across many clients in various industries with no single client accounting for more than 10% of the Company’s net revenue or accounts receivable. The Company believes that no significant credit concentration risk existed at December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities, when purchased, of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash management system provides for the funding of the main bank disbursement accounts on a daily basis as checks are presented for payment. Under this system, outstanding checks may be in excess of the cash balances at certain banks, creating book overdrafts. There were $17.8 million and $18.0 million in book overdrafts at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, included in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents that are restricted in nature as to withdrawal or usage is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets or other assets. Restricted cash is primarily comprised of cash equivalents associated with the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance company and cash deposits that guarantee letters of credit. Accounts Receivable — The Company generates accounts receivable from fees charged to parents and employer sponsors and, to a lesser degree, government agencies. The Company monitors collections and payments and maintains a provision for estimated losses based on historical trends, in addition to provisions established for specific collection issues that have been identified. Accounts receivable are stated net of this allowance for doubtful accounts. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands): Years ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Beginning balance $ 2,429 $ 1,054 $ 1,556 Provision 1,148 2,537 839 Write offs and recoveries (1,063 ) (1,162 ) (1,341 ) Ending balance $ 2,514 $ 2,429 $ 1,054 Fixed Assets — Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of income. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, whereas expenditures for improvements and replacements are capitalized. Depreciation is included in cost of services and selling, general and administrative expenses depending on the nature of the expenditure. Business Combinations — Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for an acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The accounting for business combinations requires estimates and judgment as to expectations of future cash flows of the acquired business, the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable intangible assets, and in determining the estimated fair value for assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The determination of fair values is based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. If actual results differ from these estimates, the amounts recorded in the financial statements could be impaired. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses; integration costs associated with a business combination are expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date affect income tax expense. Goodwill and Intangible Assets — Goodwill is recorded when the consideration paid for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The Company’s intangible assets principally consist of various customer relationships (including both client and parent relationships) and trade names. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment. Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to an annual evaluation to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. Goodwill impairment assessments are performed at the reporting unit level, which for Bright Horizons is at the operating segment level. In performing the goodwill impairment test, the Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s services, regulatory developments, cost factors, and entity specific factors such as overall financial performance and projected results. If an initial qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the carrying value exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, an additional quantitative evaluation is performed. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. In performing the quantitative analysis, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Fair value for each reporting unit is determined by estimating the present value of expected future cash flows, which are forecasted for each of the next ten years, applying a long-term growth rate to the final year, discounted using the Company’s estimated discount rate. If the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of the Company’s reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company performed a qualitative assessment during the annual impairment review as of October 1, 2018 and concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units are less than their carrying amount. Therefore, no goodwill impairment charges were recorded in the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , or 2016 . We test certain trademarks that are determined to be indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the fair value of the trademarks with their carrying value. We estimate the fair value first by estimating the total revenue attributable to the trademarks and then by applying a royalty rate determined by an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets, consistent with the initial valuation of the intangibles. No impairment losses were recorded in the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 in relation to intangible assets. Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and have determinable useful lives are valued separately and are amortized over the estimated period benefited, ranging from one to seventeen years. Intangible assets related to parent relationships are amortized using an accelerated method over their useful lives. All other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company reviews long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the asset’s remaining life. If the estimated cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value less any disposal costs. Other Long-Term Assets — Other long-term assets includes restricted cash related to a deposit of $20.0 million in the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance entity, and an investment of $2.9 million , primarily in a private company and a limited partnership. The equity investments without readily determinable fair value are measured at cost, less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions. We review such equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset may not be recoverable. Deferred Revenue — The Company records deferred revenue for prepaid tuition and fees received from clients in advance of services being performed. The Company is also a party to agreements where the performance of services extends beyond one year. In these circumstances, the Company records a long-term obligation and recognizes revenue over the period of the agreement as the services are rendered as described in Note 2, “Revenue Recognition.” Leases and Deferred Rent — The Company primarily leases space for certain of its centers, corporate offices, and call centers. Leases are evaluated and classified as operating or capital for financial reporting purposes. The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with periods of free rent, tenant allowances and scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The difference between rents paid and straight-line rent expense is recorded as deferred rent. Discount on Long-Term Debt and Deferred Financing Costs — Original issue discounts on the Company’s debt and deferred financing costs are recorded as a reduction of long-term debt and are amortized over the life of the related debt instrument in accordance with the effective interest method. Amortization expense is included in interest expense in the consolidated statement of income. Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax carryforwards, such as net operating losses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the provision for income taxes in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying amount of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such asset will not be realized. Additional income tax expense is recognized as a result of recording valuation allowances. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit on losses in foreign operations where it does not have a history of profitability. The Company records penalties and interest on income tax related items as a component of tax expense. Obligations for uncertain tax positions are recorded based on an assessment of whether the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Stock-Based Compensation — The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using a fair value method. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the grant-date fair value of the awards that are expected to vest. This expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period, of each separately vesting tranche. The Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) associated with stock-based compensation are recognized as income tax benefits (expenses) on the income statement. For the year ended December 31, 2016 , excess tax benefits (deficiencies) were recorded to additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet as permitted under previous guidance. Comprehensive Income or Loss — Comprehensive income or loss is comprised of net income or loss, foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized gains or losses from interest rate swaps, net of tax. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability related to state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. Therefore, taxes are not provided for the related currency translation adjustments. Earnings Per Share — Net earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income or loss per share for the holders of the Company’s common stock and unvested participating shares. Unvested participating shares are unvested share-based payment awards of restricted stock that participate equally in dividends with common stock. Net income available to stockholders is allocated on a pro rata basis to each share as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. Diluted net income or loss per share is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury stock method, or the two-class method for all outstanding stock options. Recently Adopted Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (the “new revenue guidance”), which provides a single comprehensive model for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers control over promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted the new revenue guidance using the modified retrospective method on January 1, 2018. Therefore, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company evaluated each revenue stream and applied the new revenue guidance as further discussed in Note 2, “Revenue Recognition.” There was no material impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognized upon adoption and any cumulative prior period adjustment was determined to be immaterial and therefore there were no adjustments recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. The Company’s internal controls were not significantly impacted as a result of this accounting change and the Company has made the necessary changes to accounting policies and internal processes to support the new revenue guidance, including the related disclosures. The Company expects the impact of the adoption of the new standard to be immaterial to the results of operations on an ongoing basis. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances for all periods presented. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the standard retrospectively, and as such, changes in restricted cash that have historically been presented in operating activities have now been excluded and restricted cash is combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of year balances for all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance resulted in an increase of $9.7 million , $11.9 million , and a decrease of $0.1 million to net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the consolidated statements of income and balance sheets. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . The amendments in this update simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the standard prospectively on January 1, 2017, and as such, prior periods have not been adjusted. The adoption of this guidance impacted the Company’s income tax expense, effective tax rate, and weighted average shares outstanding. The Company continues to include a forfeiture assumption relative to its unvested awards. Upon adoption, the Company now recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefits or expenses on the income statement, which were previously recorded to additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet. As a result, the Company decreased tax expense and increased net income by $12.1 million and $26.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, in relation to the excess tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. Tax benefits from stock options were included with cash flows from operating activities as a component of net income rather than as cash flows from financing activities under previous guidance. New Accounting Pronouncements — In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This standard amends the existing guidance and requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms longer than twelve months. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which approved a transition method that provides the option to use the effective date as the date of initial application on transition. The Company plans to elect this transition method, and as a result, the Company will not adjust comparative information for prior periods. The Company is progressing with its preparation for the adoption and implementation of this new accounting standard, and related changes to accounting policies, internal processes, and internal controls. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as a lease liability associated with the remaining lease payments will be recorded on the consolidated balance sheet for all long-term leases, with recognition of a right-of-use asset. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated statements of income or cash flows. The majority of the Company’s lease portfolio represents leases of real estate for centers and corporate offices. The Company’s future noncancelable lease obligations as of December 31, 2018 are disclosed in Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies.” In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (Topic 815) , which expands and refines hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The guidance also makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and ease the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance with respect to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships existing on the date of adoption must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, and the new presentation and disclosure requirements must be applied on a prospective basis. This standard is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. |
