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  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ContingenciesAndCommitmentsLineItems" name="ContingenciesAndCommitmentsLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ContingenciesAndCommitmentsTable" name="ContingenciesAndCommitmentsTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_CustomerRelationshipMember" name="CustomerRelationshipMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefits" name="DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefits" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DeferredRent" name="DeferredRent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DeferredRentAndOtherOccupancyCosts" name="DeferredRentAndOtherOccupancyCosts" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansLineItems" name="DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTable" name="DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DefinedContributionPlanEligibilityPeriod" name="DefinedContributionPlanEligibilityPeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeeOutsideOfBaseCompensationPercent" name="DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeeOutsideOfBaseCompensationPercent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_DefinedContributionPlanServicePeriod" name="DefinedContributionPlanServicePeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EarningsPerShareLineItems" name="EarningsPerShareLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EarningsPerShareTable" name="EarningsPerShareTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EducationalAdvisoryServicesMember" name="EducationalAdvisoryServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGlobalIntangibleLowTaxesIncomeAmount" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGlobalIntangibleLowTaxesIncomeAmount" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EquityLineItems" name="EquityLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" name="EquityMethodInvestmentsAndCostMethodInvestmentsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_EuropeAndOtherMember" name="EuropeAndOtherMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_ExpenseReimbursementsReceivables" name="ExpenseReimbursementsReceivables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_FederalStateAndForeignMember" name="FederalStateAndForeignMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_FifthAnniversaryMember" name="FifthAnniversaryMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_FourthAnniversaryMember" name="FourthAnniversaryMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_FullServiceCenterBasedCareMember" name="FullServiceCenterBasedCareMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_GoodwillAcquisitionRelatedAdjustment" name="GoodwillAcquisitionRelatedAdjustment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IncomeTaxAxis" name="IncomeTaxAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems" name="IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IncomeTaxDisclosureTable" name="IncomeTaxDisclosureTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IncomeTaxDomain" name="IncomeTaxDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_IncomeTaxExaminationStatuteOfLimitationsPeriod" name="IncomeTaxExaminationStatuteOfLimitationsPeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_Increasedecreaseindeferredrentandrelatedobligations" name="Increasedecreaseindeferredrentandrelatedobligations" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IntangibleAssetsLineItems" name="IntangibleAssetsLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_IntangibleAssetsTable" name="IntangibleAssetsTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_LifeInsuranceMember" name="LifeInsuranceMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_LongtermDebtProceedsofDebtUsedforBusinessCombination" name="LongtermDebtProceedsofDebtUsedforBusinessCombination" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_MinimumEligibleAgeToParticipateInPlan" name="MinimumEligibleAgeToParticipateInPlan" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_MinimumPercentageOfLikelihoodOfTaxBenefitBeingRealizedUponSettlement" name="MinimumPercentageOfLikelihoodOfTaxBenefitBeingRealizedUponSettlement" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_NonqualifiedDeferredCompensationPlanMember" name="NonqualifiedDeferredCompensationPlanMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberOfFacilitiesAcquired" name="NumberOfFacilitiesAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberOfIncomeTaxExaminationsInProcess" name="NumberOfIncomeTaxExaminationsInProcess" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberOfOutstandingLetterOfCredit" name="NumberOfOutstandingLetterOfCredit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberOfPropertiesDisposed" name="NumberOfPropertiesDisposed" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberofPropertiesAcquired" name="NumberofPropertiesAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_NumberofStateAuditsCompletedDuringPeriod" name="NumberofStateAuditsCompletedDuringPeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_OmnibusIncentivePlanMember" name="OmnibusIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OperatingLeasesLeaseTerm" name="OperatingLeasesLeaseTerm" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OptionsReceivedinSettlementSharesNet" name="OptionsReceivedinSettlementSharesNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OptionsReceivedinSettlementValueNet" name="OptionsReceivedinSettlementValueNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" name="OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_OtherEducationalAdvisoryServicesMember" name="OtherEducationalAdvisoryServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OtherExpensesDebtInstrumentAmendmentandAcquisitionRelatedCosts" name="OtherExpensesDebtInstrumentAmendmentandAcquisitionRelatedCosts" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OtherLiabilitiesUnvestedRestrictedStock" name="OtherLiabilitiesUnvestedRestrictedStock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_OtherLongtermAssetsPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="OtherLongtermAssetsPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_PaymentsForBusinessAcquisitionContingentConsideration" name="PaymentsForBusinessAcquisitionContingentConsideration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_PaymentsForExtinguishmentOfDebt" name="PaymentsForExtinguishmentOfDebt" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_PrepaidWorkersCompensationInsurance" name="PrepaidWorkersCompensationInsurance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeAndValuesAbstract" name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeAndValuesAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScenarioOneMember" name="ScenarioOneMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfAccountingPoliciesTable" name="ScheduleOfAccountingPoliciesTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfBorrowingsLineItems" name="ScheduleOfBorrowingsLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfBorrowingsTable" name="ScheduleOfBorrowingsTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfCalculationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorInEarningsPerShareTable" name="ScheduleOfCalculationOfNumeratorAndDenominatorInEarningsPerShareTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfEquityTable" name="ScheduleOfEquityTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_ScheduleOfFiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleOfFiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ScheduleOfSaleOfSubsidiaryAbstract" name="ScheduleOfSaleOfSubsidiaryAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_SecondaryOfferingMember" name="SecondaryOfferingMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_SeniorCreditFacilitiesMember" name="SeniorCreditFacilitiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsMethodUsedLineItems" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsMethodUsedLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsMethodUsedTable" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsMethodUsedTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardRemainingAwardRequisiteServicePeriod" name="SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardRemainingAwardRequisiteServicePeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ShareholdersEquityAndShareBasedPaymentsLineItems" name="ShareholdersEquityAndShareBasedPaymentsLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ShareholdersEquityAndShareBasedPaymentsTable" name="ShareholdersEquityAndShareBasedPaymentsTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_SharesReclassifiedAsAuthorizedAndUnissued" name="SharesReclassifiedAsAuthorizedAndUnissued" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_StockOfferingsAbstract" name="StockOfferingsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017IncompleteAccountingChangeInTaxRateDeferredTaxLiabilityProvisionalIncomeTaxBenefit" name="TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017IncompleteAccountingChangeInTaxRateDeferredTaxLiabilityProvisionalIncomeTaxBenefit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017IncompleteAccountingProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" name="TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017IncompleteAccountingProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_TaxYearSubjectToAuditEnd" name="TaxYearSubjectToAuditEnd" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bfam_TaxYearSubjectToAuditStart" name="TaxYearSubjectToAuditStart" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_TermLoanMember" name="TermLoanMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_ThirdAnniversaryMember" name="ThirdAnniversaryMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_TradeNameIndefiniteLifeMember" name="TradeNameIndefiniteLifeMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_TwoThousandEightEquityIncentivePlanMember" name="TwoThousandEightEquityIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bfam_UndesignatedPreferredStockMember" name="UndesignatedPreferredStockMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</xsd:schema>





