Revenue Recognition Disaggregation Of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 501,758	$ 463,657
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	385,063	353,053
Europe And Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	116,695	110,604
Full service center-based child care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	418,320	392,625
Full service center-based child care | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	304,312	283,246
Full service center-based child care | Europe And Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	114,008	109,379
Back-up care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	64,694	54,679
Back-up care | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	62,007	53,454
Back-up care | Europe And Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	2,687	1,225
Educational advisory services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	18,744	16,353
Educational advisory services | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	18,744	16,353
Educational advisory services | Europe And Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0