WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2003--Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NASDAQ: BFAM), the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care and early education, was the top Massachusetts-based company to be named to FORTUNE magazine's prestigious 2004 list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" and was one of only five New England companies to make the list. Bright Horizons also ranked #1 on the magazine's list of companies for its representation of women in the workforce and was one of only 59 companies on the "100 Best" list to actually grow its workforce in 2003.

"For Bright Horizons, being a great place to work is a critical component of being a great company. We are proud to be recognized for making our commitment to our employees equal to our commitment to clients, children and families and for our continuing efforts to professionalize our field and bring all early educators the respect they deserve," said Bright Horizons Chief Executive Officer David Lissy. "We are also proud that nearly one-third of the companies named to FORTUNE's list use Bright Horizons child care and early education centers to help make their organizations great places to work. It is proof-positive that not only is our mission succeeding for us and our clients, but that there is a continued need for quality work-site child care as well."

FORTUNE made special note of Bright Horizons' commitment to Army Reservist Rob Rossi, a senior project manager in the company's construction and facilities department. When Rossi, who is a Captain in the 368th Engineer Battalion, was first called up to active duty in February 2003, the company's Watertown office saw him off with a party and a new set of luggage. Bright Horizons also provided Rossi's wife, Holly, airfare and hotel accommodations so she could visit her husband while he was training at Fort Drum, New York before he deployed to Kuwait in April. Captain Rossi remains stationed in Kuwait, and the company continues to send him monthly care packages, and to support his wife Holly with special morale boosters, such as a spa visit over the summer and a holiday basket for Christmas.

"We keep in touch with Rob by e-mail all the time to ensure he continues to feel like part of the Bright Horizons family no matter how far away he is from home. It's just one example of the way in which we support each employee, recognizing their own individual circumstances, family life, and needs," said Bright Horizons President and Chief Operating Officer Mary Ann Tocio. "Our culture and work environment, along with opportunities for growth and recognition for our employees, are the key elements in our ability to provide top-notch service to our clients and the best possible care and education for children and families in our child care centers and schools."

The FORTUNE list and related stories appear in the January 12, 2004 issue of the magazine, available on newsstands January 5 and at www.fortune.com today.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Bright Horizons Family Solutions (www.brighthorizons.com) is the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, back-up care, early education and work/life solutions. Bright Horizons operates more than 500 early care and education centers for more than 450 clients across the U.S., UK, Ireland and Canada. The company has been recognized for its commitment to quality by the Child Care Action Campaign and for its contributions to the community as the recipient of the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Citizenship. Bright Horizons employs more than 15,000 people worldwide and the company's clients include 84 of the FORTUNE 500 and half of the "Best Companies to Work For in America" as designated by Working Mother magazine. Bright Horizons has been named one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" five times.

    CONTACT: Bright Horizons Family Solutions
             Ilene Hoffer, 617/673-8044
             ihoffer@brighthorizons.com
             or
             Leah Lesser, 617/673-8020
             llesser@brighthorizons.com

    SOURCE: Bright Horizons Family Solutions