Segment and Geographic Information - Income from Operations by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 319,177	$ 308,663	$ 310,813	$ 280,123	$ 273,426	$ 267,927	$ 271,463	$ 258,122	$ 1,218,776	$ 1,070,938	$ 973,701
Amortization of intangible assets									30,075	26,933	27,427
Income from operations	30,411	27,789	35,397	15,437	27,944	25,355	16,061	26,104	109,034	95,464	86,836
Operating Segments [Member] | Full Service Center-based Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,049,854	922,214	844,595
Amortization of intangible assets									29,048	25,906	25,178
Income from operations									67,287	60,154	58,950
Operating Segments [Member] | Back-up Dependent Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									144,432	130,082	114,502
Amortization of intangible assets									725	725	1,947
Income from operations									39,710	33,863	28,669
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Educational Advisory Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									24,490	18,642	14,604
Amortization of intangible assets									302	302	302
Income from operations									$ 2,037	$ 1,447	$ (783)