UK visitor's visa refused for my dad who is retired

You appear to have failed to provide sufficient documentation to support the statements made in the application. For example:

• a letter of invitation (addressed to your father) stating the reason for the invitation, dates of the proposed visit, the address where your father will stay, how you will cover his costs, how travel arrangements will be made once the visa is approved etc

• a covering letter (addressed to the ECO) explaining the premise of the visit, your employment and salary, details of the accommodation where your father will stay, and other relevant information to help convince the ECO that a genuine personal relationship exists (this is why the fact that there have been no previous visits is relevant - very much the ECO’s business, despite what your opinion is) eg how often and how you maintain contact What details should a good cover letter contain to back up a UK Visit Visa application?

• your employment contract and 6 months’ bank statements (since you are covering costs) Should I submit bank statements when applying for a UK Visa? What do they say about me?

IMHO you do not need to provide your land registry or mortgage documents. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549692/Visitor_Supporting_Documents_Guide_-_English_version.pdf

You need to make sure that you give sufficient proof that your father is just coming to UK on a holiday and as a tourist. Never mention that he is going to take care of his grandson or help you or your wife with your personal issues, this would make them believe that your father would stay here permanently. Ask your father to consult a Chartered accountant and get a proof of income (even if he is a pensioner) or tax/IT documents and submit those along with the VISA application. If your dad has any property, submit the copy of those documents as well. In the comments section make sure you write that he is just visiting UK for tourism and he has a family back in India that is dependant on him and he will be going back. Once you get your VISA, it is mandatory that he has a return ticket in his hand when he goes for immigration in UK. They will ask for it and even send them back if they dont have a valid return ticket.

my dad would be extra help with childcare.

You need to be careful when using nonresident family members instead of employing UK residents for childcare

Where a family member is coming to look after a child in the UK, this is permitted provided it is for a short visit and does not amount to the relative being employed as a child-minder. You must be satisfied that the visit is of a short duration, the relative is a genuine visitor and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.

UK Home-Office "Visit Guidance" version 9.0

Can you provide me some explanation why my father's UK general visa was refused?

The letter you received gives some explanation

It is unclear to me why you have not visited your son to date

In your application, provide the reasons

the documents you have provided do not show that your son is willing and able to fund your visit and provide accomodation.

I suspect you need to provide a letter stating that you are willing

You also need to show that you can afford to support your father for the period. I believe that would ideally be bank statements showing regular income and gradually accumulating savings well in excess of any expected expenditure on your father, including provision for unplanned expenses (maybe non-urgent medical etc).