Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ (253,887)	$ 6	$ 150,088	$ (8,816)	$ (395,165)
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		6,062,653
Conversion of Class L common stock (in shares)		46,708,466
Conversion of Class L common stock	854,101	47	854,054
Initial public offering (shares)		11,615,000
Initial public offering	234,944	12	234,932
Exercise of stock options (shares)		219,490
Exercise of stock options	1,672		1,672
Stock-based compensation	6,620		6,620
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	1,325		1,325
Translation adjustments, net of ($245) attributable to non-controlling interest	(11,822)			(11,822)
Net loss attributable to Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.	(50,743)				(50,743)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 782,210	$ 65	$ 1,248,691	$ (20,638)	$ (445,908)
Ending Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2013		64,605,609