Bright Horizons

Bright Horizons

Employer-sponsored on-site child care provider

Overview

Bright Horizons provides employer-sponsored child care and early education services through a network of dedicated centers. The company works by partnering directly with corporations to build and manage on-site or nearby facilities where employees can enroll their children in structured learning programs. Unlike traditional independent daycares, Bright Horizons focuses on large-scale business partnerships and integrated family solutions to help companies support their workforce. Its goal is to provide working families with reliable, high-quality care while helping employers attract and retain talent.

Significant Headcount Growth

About Bright Horizons

Simplify's Rating
Why Bright Horizons is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Social Impact

Education

Healthcare

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Watertown, Massachusetts

Founded

1986

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue rose 7% to $779 million; adjusted EPS rose 20%.
  • Management raised 2026 adjusted EPS to $5.05-$5.15 after strong cash generation.
  • Share repurchases hit $250 million in Q2, signaling confidence in free cash flow.

What critics are saying

  • BFAM plans 45-50 closures in 2026, with $45 million impairments already disclosed.
  • New York City barred new centers until January 30, 2027, after abuse allegations.
  • Repeated safety scandals kill employer trust, BFAM's core sales channel.

What makes Bright Horizons unique

  • BFAM runs 988 centers and serves 1,450 employers across five countries.
  • Backup Care grew 19% in Q2 2026, giving BFAM a sticky employer wedge.
  • Homethrive-powered Care Advising broadens BFAM into eldercare and neurodiversity support.

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Funding

Total Funding

$323.1M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

3 Rounds

Post IPO Secondary funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Post IPO Secondary Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Professional Development Budget

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Stock Price

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

6%

1 year growth

6%

2 year growth

6%
Bright Horizons
Aug 12th, 2026
PEOPLE and Great Place To Work name Bright Horizons to 2026 PEOPLE Companies that Care List.

PEOPLE and Great Place To Work name Bright Horizons to 2026 PEOPLE Companies that Care List. Company recognized for fostering an exceptional employee experience and culture of care. August 12, 2026 - Great Place To Work(R) and PEOPLE magazine have honored Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (NYSE: BFAM) as one of the 2026 PEOPLE(R) Companies that Care. This is Bright Horizons' third time being named to this prestigious list. Earning a spot means that the company has surpassed rigorous benchmarks, establishing itself as one of the best companies to work for in the country. "Our mission of supporting families and employers begins with supporting our own employees," said Sara Lester, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bright Horizons. "We believe that when employees feel cared for and connected to a shared purpose, they can do their best work and make a greater impact. This recognition celebrates the culture of care and belonging our employees have helped build together." Bright Horizons' culture of care is reflected in programs that support employee growth, well-being, and community impact. Employees can earn associate and bachelor's degrees in early childhood education at no cost through the first-of-its-kind Horizons CDA & Degree Program, access financial assistance through the Employee Relief Fund during times of hardship and contribute to the work of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, which creates Bright Spaces for children and families in need in communities across the country. That commitment extends to the military community through employment opportunities for military spouses and programs that help military families access affordable, high-quality child care. The PEOPLE Companies that Care list is based on over 1.3 million employee survey responses and data from companies representing the experience of more than 7.3 million employees in the U.S. Of those surveys, nearly 970,000 responses came from employees at companies eligible for this year's list, and these rankings are based on that feedback. Companies also submit essays that are validated by employee survey data to give a complete picture of the way an organization cares for its employees, its community, and the planet. To be considered for the list, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified(TM) and have at least 10 U.S. employees. The Companies that Care list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to care for employees, families, and the communities where they operate. "Employees are under immense pressure, and the best workplaces are finding ways to support them in the ways they need," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "When employees feel that sense of care, they do incredible things - delivering the crucial results that grow businesses and build new markets." "We're proud to celebrate companies that lead with purpose by supporting their employees, strengthening their communities, and driving positive change. Their commitment to positive impact reflects PEOPLE's longstanding mission to celebrate stories of inspiring people whose actions create lasting impact," said Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE Editor in Chief. About Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. Bright Horizons(R) is a leading provider of high-quality early education and child care, back-up care, and workforce education services. For 40 years, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. has partnered with employers to support workforces by providing services that help working families and employees thrive personally and professionally. Bright Horizons operates approximately 1,000 early education and child care centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia and India, and serves more than 1,450 of the world's leading employers. Bright Horizons' early education and child care centers, back-up child and elder care, and workforce education programs help employees succeed at each life and career stage. For more information, go to www.brighthorizons.com. About the PEOPLE Companies That Care List Great Place To Work selected the 2026 PEOPLE Companies that Care List by gathering and analyzing over 1.3 million confidential survey responses from companies representing more than 7.3 million U.S. employees at Great Place To Work Certified organizations. Of those, nearly 970,000 responses came from employees at companies eligible for the list and these rankings are based on that feedback. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index(TM) Survey and essays submitted by participating companies. Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work, a UKG company, brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces list. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and sign up for the Great Place To Work LinkedIn newsletter, Culture Edge, to get the latest research on what drives business success. About PEOPLE PEOPLE delivers the most trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human interest stories, connecting you to the pulse of American culture. Since its first issue hit stands in 1974, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. has been striving to tell compelling stories about the people behind the issues, as opposed to just the issues themselves. Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. is your everyday escape, taking you inside the lives of intriguing stars, newsmakers, up-and-comers, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. serve and delight you by providing ideas about beauty, food, and style through the lens of the people influencing the trends. And Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC. is a force for good by telling stories of hope, optimism, and kindness that drive conversation and inspire action.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 31st, 2026
Bright Horizons reports $1.28 adjusted EPS, up 20%, as backup care revenue surges 19% to $194M

Bright Horizons Family Solutions reported strong second-quarter results for 2026, with revenue rising 7% year-over-year to $779 million. Adjusted earnings per share jumped 20% to $1.28, exceeding expectations. The childcare provider's backup care division drove growth, with revenue increasing 19% to $194 million. Full-service revenue grew 3% to $557 million. Adjusted operating income reached $99 million, up 15%, whilst margins expanded 95 basis points to 12.7%. The company ended the quarter with 988 centres after opening and closing seven locations. Occupancy averaged in the high 60% range, or approximately 70% excluding Australia. Bright Horizons generated $95 million in operating cash flow and repurchased approximately $250 million in shares. The firm raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $5.05-$5.15 per share and narrowed revenue guidance to $3.085-$3.115 billion.

MarketBeat
Jul 30th, 2026
Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM) releases FY 2026 earnings guidance.

Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM) releases FY 2026 earnings guidance. July 30, 2026 Key points. * Bright Horizons issued FY 2026 guidance of $5.05-$5.15 in EPS, above the $4.94 analyst consensus, while revenue guidance was approximately $3.1 billion, in line with expectations. * The company's shares fell 5.8% to $77.86 following the update, despite quarterly results that exceeded expectations with $1.28 EPS and $779.18 million in revenue. * Analyst sentiment remains mixed: BFAM has a consensus "Hold" rating and a $96 average price target, while recent reports included lowered targets and a downgrade to "Sell" from Weiss Ratings. * MarketBeat previews top five stocks to own in August. Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM - Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 5.050-5.150 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 4.940. The company issued revenue guidance of $3.1 billion-$3.1 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $3.1 billion. Bright Horizons Family Solutions trading down 5.8%. BFAM traded down $4.82 during trading on Thursday, reaching $77.86. 915,454 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,043,443. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.10 billion, a PE ratio of 23.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.15. The stock's 50-day moving average is $69.34 and its 200 day moving average is $76.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a 12 month low of $57.63 and a 12 month high of $130.76. Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.07. Bright Horizons Family Solutions had a return on equity of 18.01% and a net margin of 6.35%.The firm had revenue of $779.18 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $774.84 million. Bright Horizons Family Solutions has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.050-5.150 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Bright Horizons Family Solutions will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst upgrades and downgrades. BFAM has been the subject of several recent research reports. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions from $88.00 to $87.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Bright Horizons Family Solutions from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $96.00. Discover more Stock Screener Tool Financial News Insider buying and selling. In other news, COO Mary Lou Burke sold 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $40,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 33,345 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,667,600. This represents a 1.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.21% of the company's stock. Hedge funds weigh in on Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BFAM. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Bright Horizons Family Solutions during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $191,952,000. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 64.4% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,579,757 shares of the company's stock worth $160,124,000 after purchasing an additional 619,067 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,329,253 shares of the company's stock valued at $134,786,000 after buying an additional 165,962 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 25.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,066,234 shares of the company's stock valued at $108,116,000 after buying an additional 217,963 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Bright Horizons Family Solutions by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,017,731 shares of the company's stock valued at $103,200,000 after buying an additional 30,184 shares during the last quarter. About Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc NYSE: BFAM is a leading provider of employer-sponsored child care and early education services, offering a range of solutions designed to support working families and organizations. Through a network of on-site, near-site and center-based programs, the company partners with corporate and nonprofit clients to deliver infant, toddler, preschool and school-age care. Services emphasize age-appropriate curriculum, developmental milestones and community engagement to ensure high-quality learning experiences. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. Before you consider Bright Horizons Family Solutions, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Bright Horizons Family Solutions wasn't on the list. While Bright Horizons Family Solutions currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

Family Friendly Working
Jul 14th, 2026
Employers risk losing skilled talent without support for working parents and carers, HR leaders told at CIPD Festival of Work.

Employers risk losing skilled talent without support for working parents and carers, HR leaders told at CIPD Festival of Work. Bright Horizons Work+Family Solutions and Marsh shared new evidence at the UK's flagship HR event that family support now sits at the centre of engagement, productivity and retention Speaking at a fireside session at ExCeL London on 11 June, Jennifer Liston-Smith, Strategic Advisor for Bright Horizons Work+Family Solutions, and Leah Gray, UK & Ireland Benefits Manager at Marsh, told an audience of HR and people professionals that support for working parents and carers has become essential to organisational performance. The session, titled 'Easing the squeeze: Why supporting every family life stage is the future of wellbeing', drew on findings from the Work-Life Gap Report 2026, the latest research from Bright Horizons Work+Family Solutions comparing the experiences of employees with and without access to practical care support. Around half of the UK workforce has family dependants, making work and family pressure a structural feature of the modern workforce rather than a marginal concern. The research finds that among the wider UK workforce, only 37% of working parents and carers feel able to switch off and maintain healthy boundaries between work and life. Among employees using Bright Horizons Back-Up Care, that rises to 67% who say their family friendly benefits help them disconnect, maintain balance and stay focused at work. The productivity effect is equally direct, with 79% of back-up care users saying it enabled them to work on days they otherwise could not have. The career consequences are sharpest for women. Among unsupported working mothers, 48% say caring responsibilities have negatively affected their career. Among mothers with access to back-up care, 83% say the support helps keep their career on track and 85% say it increases their likelihood of staying with their employer. Jennifer Liston-Smith said: "Every stage of family life is crucial to wellbeing, and crucial to allowing our organisations to do what they need to do." Leah Gray shared Marsh's experience of building support for employees across every life stage, and the measurable impact on engagement, productivity and the retention of skills and talent. She also offered a candid view of the challenge facing HR decision makers seeking to introduce similar provision. Leah Gray said: "The hardest thing is securing the budget and quantifying the return on investment. The people who hold the purse strings need to be convinced." However, she added that when Back-Up Care directly saves many days of absence, the ROI for the business is clear, even before quantifying the positive impact in wellbeing, retention, or engagement. The Work-Life Gap Report 2026 addresses directly that challenge of demonstrating evidence, setting out the mechanism by which practical support delivers a return: support at moments of disruption reduces stress and mental load, enabling focus and presence, which in turn sustains productivity, retention and workforce resilience. Even more simply, the employee is present and working when they'd otherwise be absent or juggling care and work unproductively. The findings also point to a cultural dividend. Employees with access to practical support are 16% points more likely to say their manager cares about their work-life balance, and 81% of back-up care users report a positive impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Yahoo Finance
Jun 30th, 2026
JP Morgan's 2026 top picks at halftime: GEV surges 69%, BFAM and CELH sink over 30%

GE Vernova surged 69% year-to-date and cleared JP Morgan's $1,000 target, whilst Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Celsius Holdings, the bank's two highest-upside picks for 2026, both fell more than 30%. Celsius posted 138% revenue growth and captured 21% of the US energy drink market in Q1, but the Alani Nu integration pressured margins and sent shares down 34.9% to $29.79, well below JP Morgan's $68 target. Bright Horizons announced plans to close 45 to 50 childcare centres in 2026 and disclosed $45 million in impairment charges, triggering securities fraud investigations. Shares fell 30.1% to $70.89, significantly below the $160 target. The company maintains guidance for adjusted earnings per share of $4.90 to $5.10 on revenue of $3.075 billion to $3.125 billion.

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