The after school care has been operating for 21 years. In October a celebration will be held to mark the momentous occasion.

Orana Heights after school care coordinator Cathy Buckley has been involved for 17 of the 21 years.

"At first we operated out of a very small demountable. During the day it was used for reading recovery and then we used it in the afternoon," she said.

Throughout the years the group has had different homes throughout the school. In 2013, the after school care got a building of its own.

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There are currently 60 children who make use of the service.

"The majority of our children come from working families but there are also families who are studying and families who have moved from other areas and don't have a lot of networks. They can't leave their child one day a week with Grandma or Aunty," Ms Buckley said.

In 2013 Orana Heights became the first school to also offer before school care.

"We had one child to start with. Now we're averaging anywhere from abut 20 to 25 children a day for breakfast and the morning session," Ms Buckley said.

Vacation care is also offered during the school holidays.

The coordinator said she had stayed in the role so long because she loved the interaction with the children and their families, as well as guiding the young staff.

The after school program has a mentoring program for year six students. It encourages the students to volunteer one day a week with the after school care once they reach high school, and then after volunteering for a couple of years they may be hired as a junior educator.

The 21^st celebration will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 10am until 2pm at Orana Heights.

There will be a barbecue, stalls, face painting, a jumping castle and family activities like tug-of-war, egg and spoon races and sack races.

The community celebration is open to everyone.