v3.19.3
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Oct. 25, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. true  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2019  
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. false  
Entity Registrant Name BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.  
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) DE  
(Commission File Number) 001-35780  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 80-0188269  
(Address of principal executive offices) 200 Talcott Avenue  
Entity Address, City or Town Watertown,  
Entity Address, State or Province MA  
(Zip code) 02472  
City Area Code (617)  
Local Phone Number 673-8000  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Emerging growth company false  
Smaller reporting company false  
Title of each class Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share  
Trading Symbol(s) BFAM  
Name of each exchange on which registered NYSE  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)   58,181,832
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Entity Central Index Key 0001437578  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31