Over the past six years Kylie Grey's salary has increased by just $4 an hour.

The early childhood education worker will walk off the job on Thursday with thousands of others across the country to demand higher wages.

Early childhood educator Kylie Grey says she can't afford the cost of living. Credit:Nicole Cleary

It will be Australia's biggest early education walk-off and will affect about 10,000 families.

Ms Grey, a mother of three, says she may have to leave the sector if her salary does not increase, as she can't afford the cost of living.