Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jul. 29, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35780
Entity Registrant Name	BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	80-0188269
Entity Address, Address Line One	2 Wells Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Newton
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02459
City Area Code	(617)
Local Phone Number	673-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	BFAM
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,560,617
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0001437578
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31