Segment Information - Income from Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 337,920	$ 511,584	$ 1,138,015	$ 1,541,402
Income from operations	(5,927)	62,629	45,468	200,372
Impairment costs	1,700		18,609	0
Impairment loss on fixed assets	1,400		13,100
Impairment loss on operating lease right-of-use assets	300		5,500
Impairment costs			20,700
Impairment losses on equity investment			2,128	0
Facility Closing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Costs associated with closure of childcare centers	700		5,100
Full service center-based child care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	220,136	410,789	768,833	1,267,689
Full service center-based child care | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	220,136	410,789	768,833	1,267,689
Income from operations	(60,389)	36,961	(115,484)	130,318
Back-up care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	93,050	80,059	303,121	214,802
Back-up care | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	93,050	80,059	303,121	214,802
Income from operations	46,464	19,711	143,824	55,262
Educational advisory and other services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	24,734	20,736	66,061	58,911
Educational advisory and other services | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	24,734	20,736	66,061	58,911
Income from operations	$ 7,998	$ 5,957	$ 17,128	$ 14,792