BFAM Q4 Deep Dive: Strong Back-Up Care Growth and Center Rationalization Shape Outlook

Child care and education company Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2025, with sales up 8.8% year on year to $733.7 million. On the other hand, the company’s full-year revenue guidance of $3.1 billion at the midpoint came in 0.6% below analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.15 per share was 2.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

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StockStory’s Take

Bright Horizons reported fourth quarter results that exceeded Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations, but the market reacted negatively, reflecting concerns beyond the headline numbers. Management attributed performance to robust growth in its back-up care segment, with CEO Stephen Kramer highlighting a 17% revenue increase driven by both predictable and unexpected care needs. The company also made progress in its U.K. business, achieving positive operating profit after significant losses in recent years, and continued to rationalize its center portfolio to address underperforming locations.

Looking ahead, Bright Horizons’ guidance factors in steady enrollment growth, planned tuition increases, and continued center closures to improve operational efficiency. CFO Elizabeth Boland noted that net center closures will continue in the coming year, with efforts to close 45 to 50 underperforming sites, while new openings remain limited. Management expects the back-up care segment to remain a key growth driver, aiming to expand user penetration within existing clients and leverage employer partnerships. While optimism remains regarding portfolio improvements, the company acknowledged that achieving targeted occupancy rates and margin expansion will be a gradual process.

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management pointed to several major themes driving fourth quarter results and shaping the company’s strategic direction, including continued back-up care momentum, steady progress in enrollment, and actions to streamline the center portfolio.

• Back-up care utilization surge: The back-up care segment posted 17% revenue growth, fueled by both planned and unplanned needs among employer clients, with strong adoption across center-based and in-home offerings. Management emphasized that deeper penetration within existing client populations, despite relatively flat eligible employee counts, demonstrated the value of this benefit.
• Portfolio rationalization continues: Bright Horizons closed underperforming centers and expects to shut 45 to 50 locations in the coming year, focusing on sites with persistent low enrollment or unfavorable lease terms. This strategy is intended to improve the overall economic profile and shift resources to higher-performing centers.
• U.K. turnaround progress: The full-service business in the U.K. returned to profitability after years of losses, supported by higher occupancy, improved staffing, and increased affordability from expanded government support. Management views this as a meaningful milestone in the post-pandemic recovery.
• Enrollment momentum uneven: Enrollment gains were concentrated in specific geographies and age groups, with stronger performance in younger cohorts but persistent softness in certain markets. Centers with occupancy below 40% declined as a percentage of the portfolio, indicating some early success in efforts to boost utilization.
• Pricing and cost dynamics: Tuition increases averaged around 4%, largely offsetting wage and benefit cost inflation. Management acknowledged that balancing affordability for families with cost recovery remains an ongoing challenge, particularly given the labor-intensive nature of child care services.

Drivers of Future Performance

Bright Horizons’ outlook is shaped by continued growth in back-up care, efforts to improve enrollment and center economics, and ongoing cost pressures tied to labor and benefits.

• Back-up care as primary growth lever: Management expects the back-up care business to drive double-digit revenue growth, focusing on expanding unique user penetration within existing employer clients and increasing usage frequency, rather than relying on new client acquisition.
• Portfolio optimization headwinds: The company will continue to close underperforming centers, resulting in a net reduction in locations for the coming year. While closures are expected to improve margins over time, lingering lease costs and transition expenses will temper immediate financial benefits.
• Enrollment and pricing strategies: Steady, modest enrollment gains of about 1% per year are expected, with price increases averaging 4%. However, management cautioned that reaching the company’s target occupancy of 70% will be gradual, as overall portfolio average remains in the mid-60% range due to persistent softness in certain cohorts.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, our analysts will be watching (1) the pace and effectiveness of center closures and their impact on profitability, (2) continued growth in back-up care user adoption and frequency within employer clients, and (3) progress toward improving enrollment in underperforming centers. Execution on pricing strategies and the ability to manage labor and benefit costs will also be critical for margin improvement.

Bright Horizons currently trades at $78.15, down from $81.83 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it’s free).

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